What causes 'The Spell' to start?

[StewardsEnquiry]

You know, the magic weight loss spell?

I've been under it so many times. When dieting is easy, calorie counting is a breeze, my appetite is controlled, I have no cravings, and pounds just tumble off.

And then the spell breaks. Whether it is a week later or 6 months later, and the diet spell is broken.

I can't lose weight without the spell. I cannot summon the spell. It just happens. Who casts the spell? What breaks the spell?

These are eternal mysteries.

I think you have to break the hunger barrier. It takes two days of feeling starving and then your stomach shrinks .

I don't know, some sort of 'right, this has to be over' feeling just took over me. It had happened before and never lasted, when I did WW and things like that.

But this time it's lasted 3-ish years, and I just don't have the appetite now that I once did. I'm amazed when I look back at how food controlled my thoughts, and how much I used to eat.

Unfortunately I don't know what started it. I think I was just sick of myself.

OP I have never been in possession of the spell

in fact I’ve not heard of it.

I experience a battle to lose half a pound a week.

please tell me where I can get the spell and I will guard it with my life!

I know exactly what you mean.
I am someone who has to have projects on the go. If the weight loss feels effortless , I pick up too many other projects. Then bam, competing priorities, stress, spell is broken.
I will intend to get back on the weight loss after the current promotion/qualification/home improvement is done, but if something else comes up in the meantime, the spell will not be cast.

I'm under the spell now. For the last three weeks I can do it. Weight is dropping off. No need to overeat. Magical. I have no idea what started it.

But I know the spell could be broken at any time. It has happened before and will happen again. I won't weigh myself and the eating will begin.

I know exactly what you mean. I was under the spell Jan-March. Since then it's disappeared and I just can't do it. Annoying.

my doctor put me under the spell but usually the magic wears off around christmas time and the spell reverses

Hormones?

I am also under The Spell at the moment, but no idea where it came from or how long it will last.

Your OP is 100% how weight loss and gain works for me. If anyone can ever solve it, they’ll become very rich.

I did so well last year. Then suddenly I was dealing with something very traumatic and the spell was broken.
I desperately need it back.

I think it must be hormones too. Impossible to put your finger on, but I have experienced exactly what you describe. Magical! And then it’s gone

Watching with interest! this is so true!

I was under the spell after babies 2&3 but can I find it again for after baby 4?! Nope. But why?????

Well, why not track it over time and you can at least see any correlations, eg stress, working hours, weather, whatever.

Weirdly I am under the spell right now but nothing is shifting!! I'm 48 and stressed though. V annoying as I'm definitely in that zone where I would normally lose weight. I hope it starts moving before the spell is gone.

I know exactly what you mean and I have no idea. I haven't been able to find it since Covid and it's driving me mad, I have such good intentions but I get SO hungry.

I like this!
I'm back under the spell but it can change daily!
When I'm under it I'm smug and can't imagine ever eating rubbish.
When the spell is broken I can't ever imagine being under it again as food is so lovely and enjoyable!

I was under the spell for about three weeks. Now I’m back to foraging in the fridge. 😢

Great way of putting it, much better than the zone or mindset.
When willpower wins.
I have no idea.

I think it’s a bit like addiction. Think of it like giving up alcohol, ‘one drink one hurt’ but then you have another and another. ‘It’s a special occasion’. Unlike alcohol you can’t completely give up food.

Currently under the spell. I think it happens for me when I am feeling optimistic, not cross with myself and sleeping well. Then it’s all about momentum.

When I put a lot of pressure on myself (eg lose 2 stone for the holiday of a lifetime in August last year) I fail.

I don't call it the spell but the 'switch'. Anyway I know what you mean.
However, what you need to do is just start. Wake up and think 'I'm going to eat in a deficit today only healthy whole foods'. Just do it. Don't wait for motivation, that will come after some success. Too often people think it's: motivation - consistency - success, when it's really consistency-success-motivation.
However it does help to have a goal - for me it's going on holiday next week, and I've managed to lose two stones in two months (not nearly enough - should have started way earlier). I will be mindful but not strict while away, and that normally leads to an inability to get back to a deficit on return. So next goal: I don't want to be the 'fat mum' when dropping my DD for her first year at uni, after that it's Christmas etc etc. Mini goals that I hope will remind me why I should be consistent. Reaching each successfully provides motivation to continue.
When tempted, ask yourself 'will this help me reach my goals'? No? Then don't eat it!

I’m hoping the switch will flick after a head start from Covid 🤞

I think eating the same things for breakfast and lunch each day can help. Staying on plan at weekends.
Don't beat yourself up if you slip up.

@mondaytosunday yes, the switch makes sense as well. It is just like a switch flicking on or off, isn't it? In the blink of an eye. Two stone is tremendous. Well done!!

@Howcanichange I agree that eating the same things every single day helps. The less choice I have, the better. What do you eat? I don't eat breakfast, actually, and I eat soup for lunch. Every single day. I did it for months and months about 8 years ago and lost about 3 stone.

@Sedgwick yes I agree with you, too. I cannot summon the spell for a special occasion or goal!

@BrutusMcDogface sorry the spell has beeb broken. Maybe it will return soon?

This is it - you have put it into words beautifully for me. Now if you could just work out how to be bewitched I would be very grateful! It's definitely a weather-influenced this for me. Finally warm here and my desire to constantly cruise the kitchen has vanished. If I can just keep it up long enough...